WWE Backlash 2026 GRADED - Results, Review

Following its successful return at WWE WrestleMania 42, GRADED is back for good as a website exclusive and the next event following WrestleMania 42 was WWE Backlash.

Five matches took place at Backlash, including a main event of Roman Reigns defending the World Heavyweight Championship against Jacob Fatu.

This is WWE Backlash 2026 GRADED!

Bron Breakker def. Seth Rollins

The opening contest saw Seth Rollins take on his former Vision stablemate in Bron Breakker, with the two men facing off inside the squared circle for the first time since Breakker turned on the two-time World Heavyweight Champion all the way back in October 2025.

The match wasted no time as Bron Breakker immediately went for a Spear, but Rollins avoided it, sent Breakker to the outside, and followed up with two Suicide Dives. Rollins then continued on offence on the outside, but as soon as the match returned to the ring, Breakker suplexed his opponent to the outside, which allowed Breakker to remain on top and he slowly worked over Rollins before he quickened the pace with his 23 MPH Lariat.

Breakker then returned to slowly working over Rollins, with Seth responding with multiple slaps. Breakker simply laughed, though, and followed up with elbows to the head. Breakker then hit a Frankensteiner but sort of botched it before Rollins kicked out at two.

Soon after, Breakker went for a Jumping Lariat on the outside, but he ran straight into a Superkick from Rollins which allowed Seth to finally deliver some offence for the first time since the opening moments.

After blowing a kiss to Paul Heyman, Seth Rollins went for a Spear but Breakker blocked it and followed up with a Military Press Slam into knees. The match then featured another botch when Rollins went for his spin into a Pedigree but Rollins just fell to the mat, so Breakker improvised with a Standing Moonsault.

Soon after, Rollins hit a Buckle Bomb but couldn't capitalise as Breakker fired back with a Lariat. Breakker followed up with a Jumping Clothesline from the apron to Rollins on the announce table. Another fun moment followed as Rollins hit his Superplex but Breakker countered the Falcon Arrow attempt into a Falcon Arrow of his own for a near fall.

Soon after, Rollins hit a Pedigree and a Stomp but Paul Heyman distracted the referee. Rollins simply laughed and grabbed a steel chair from underneath the ring and stood outside the ring for an age before Austin Theory and Logan Paul showed up to eat chair shots. Rollins then chased Logan Paul to the back and ran back to the ring straight into a slow Spear from Bron Breakker. This was only enough for a two count.

Bron Breakker picked up speed this time for a Spear but he jumped straight into a Pedigree. Rollins went for a Super Stomp but jumped straight into a Spear. One Torpedo Spear later and Bron Breakker picked up the win over his former ally.

Grade: B - An enjoyable opening to WWE Backlash as Bron Breakker and Seth Rollins had a match that began quickly but immediately descended into Breakker slowly working over Rollins. Once it picked up again, the match was a lot of fun but both men probably have a better match in them, primarily due to the multiple botches, from Breakker whiffing on a Frankensteiner, Rollins just collapsing to the mat on a spin into a Pedigree, and Seth then having to wait an age on the outside for Austin Theory and Logan Paul to arrive for their interference spot. A good match, but those sloppy moments detracted from the overall contest.

Trick Williams (c) def. Sami Zayn - WWE United States Championship

After the opening minutes, Sami Zayn went to use the steel steps, which would have led to a DQ, but decided against it and instead shouted at Lil Yachty. Zayn then slowly worked over Trick inside the squared circle as there were duelling chants of "Sami Sucks" and "Lets go Sami." Zayn became distracted by the chants which allowed Williams to fight back with a Neckbreaker.

Trick Williams hit a Book End for a near fall soon after and went for an Avalanche Book End, but Sami Zayn fought out and hit a Sunset Flip Powerbomb. Zayn then went for a Helluva Kick but ran straight into a Big Boot. Williams missed on a Cyclone Kick and Zayn hit a Blue Thunder Bomb for a near fall. 

Later, Sami Zayn faked an injury but Williams wasn’t buying it and looked to continue on offence, which Zayn countered into an inside cradle for a near fall. Lil Yachty then got on the apron but left the gingerbread kendo stick, which Zayn grabbed and smashed Williams with. Zayn made the cover and the official eventually made the count, but it was only enough for two. 

Zayn then stomped a mudhole into Trick and set up for a Helluva Kick, but Lil Yachty attacked Sami with the kendo stick. This allowed Williams to hit the Cyclone Kick, but it was Sami’s turn to kick out at two. 

Soon after, Sami Zayn took out Lil Yachty and decked him with the kendo stick. Again, Williams was able to capitalise, this time with a Lariat, but Sami was able to fire back with a DDT on the steel steps. 

Zayn likely could have won but he hit Lil Yachty with a Helluva Kick. Zayn then missed on a Helluva Kick to Williams back in the ring and the United States Champion connected with a Trick Shot to record the successful title defence. 

Lil Yachty threw dollar bills into the air in celebration after the match. 

Grade: B- - Another fun match at WWE Backlash, although it did take a little while to get going. Once it did, it told a good story of Sami Zayn diving into his bag of tricks to try and pick up a win over Trick, while Lil Yachty did whatever he could to help Williams retain. Zayn's inability to avoid taking out his frustration on Yachty ultimately proved to be his downfall. Thank God there was no Gingerbread Man.

Danhausen & Minihausen def. The Miz & Kit Wilson

Danhausen’s mystery tag team partner was revealed to be a mini luchador version of Danhausen, and they began the match, working over The Miz and Kit Wilson with high-flying moves while Wade Barrett barely referred to the little person as a human being. 

The Miz gave Minihausen a cheap shot behind the referee’s back which allowed the heels to work over the little person, which involved a long Standing Suplex from Kit Wilson, before Wilson became irritated by the little person kicking out. 

Later, Wilson went for a Diving Headbutt but Minihausen avoided it and hit a Top Rope Moonsault which led to the hot tag to Danhausen. The former AEW talent ran wild but became very tired, until he hulked up and went for his Cursed Boot, but Wilson sacrificed himself for The Miz. 

Minihausen was tagged back in and hit a Hurricanrana to Wilson with Kit bumping like Shawn Michaels at SummerSlam 2005. Minihausen then hit a Suicide Dive to both of his opponents and almost had an awful landing. The action then spilt up the ramp and Kit Wilson threw Minihausen into the cloning machine. The machine then restarted, and a dozen little people emerged from the machine. 

Back in the ring, Minihausen hit a Wasteland to Kit Wilson as Wade Barrett went apoplectic about it being his move. Minihausen then tried to curse Wilson but Kit had a mirror, so it would have resulted in Minihausen cursing himself. This led to a Skull-Crushing Finale from The Miz, but Danhausen broke up the pin.

Soon after, The Miz tried to use a fire extinguisher but actually sprayed Kit Wilson after being cursed by all the Minihausens. Danhausen followed up with his Curse Kick for the win, pinning a two-time WWE Champion in the process. 

Grade: C - I don’t quite know how to grade this, to be honest. The mystery partner just being a luchador Minihausen was initially underwhelming but the match ended up being a lot of fun, with a highlight being Wade Barrett’s anger when Minihausen used his Wasteland finisher. Some people will love this, others will hate it. I’m probably somewhere in the middle, so this gets a C.

IYO SKY def. Asuka

The action started slowly and the main notes in the early going were loud “We Want Kairi” chants from the fans in Tampa, Florida. For the fourth match of the evening, the heels took control in the opening minutes, with Asuka slowly working over IYO SKY, with the crowd going as flat as a pancake outside of further Kairi Sane chants. Asuka remained on top for several minutes until IYO SKY managed to fight back with a Sunset Flip into a Double Stomp, followed by some big Uppercuts, a Missile Dropkick, and Bullet Train Double Knees for a near fall.  

IYO SKY connected with a German Suplex but Asuka reversed into a submission before IYO fought out with a kick. Both talents collapsed soon after following a Superkick from IYO SKY which arrived after a moment’s hesitation between both competitors, with the crowd applauding the action. 

Moments later, Asuka applied the Asuka Lock but IYO escaped and connected with a Stunner. Asuka then applied an Armbar as the crowd went quiet again, but IYO reversed into an Asuka Lock of her own. Asuka eventually reached the bottom rope to break the hold. 

Later, the action spilt to the announce table and Asuka went for the mist but SKY blocked it with Wade Barrett’s empty notepad. IYO fought back with a Crossbody from the announce table to the floor before an Asai Moonsault. The action moved back to the ring and there was another awkward moment as IYO went for a Moonsault and was clearly meant to be caught by an Armbar from Asuka but they were nowhere near each other and Asuka had to scoot across the ring to apply the submission. An Asuka Lock followed and SKY looked like she was about to pass out before she countered into a pin for a near fall. 

The crowd then chanted “This is awesome” as SKY hit another German Suplex and Bullet Train Attack before a Moonsault for the win. After the match, a tearful Asuka and IYO SKY embraced. 

Grade: C+ - Both Asuka and IYO SKY worked hard but the match was severely hampered by the crowd in Tampa, Florida, who were quiet for much of the contest and were more interested in a possible Kairi Sane appearance which ultimately never happened following her WWE release on April 24. A couple of awkward spots also detracted from the contest, although overall it was fine and they were given plenty of time.

John Cena Announces The Creation Of The John Cena Classic

After thanking the fans, John Cena said he had been wondering about the next phase of his WWE career, which resulted in “One More Match” chants. Cena mentioning his retirement match then received boos from the fans in attendance, but he noted he was truly happy because “we all made it something bigger.” Cena then put over NXT talents working the December 13, 2025 episode of Saturday Night’s Main Event before Cena’s final match. 

Cena then announced the John Cena Classic, an entire evening of the best of today against the best of tomorrow, an entire event where WWE and NXT talents face each other in the hopes of being crowned a champion.

Cena then announced “your voice will be heard louder than ever before” and announced the John Cena Classic Championship, with the champion being voted on by the fans. So a wrestler can lose their match but still become the John Cena Classic Champion. 

Cena then thanked WWE and Tampa, before announcing it was time for the main event.

Roman Reigns (c) def. Jacob Fatu - World Heavyweight Championship

It was then time for the main event and Jacob Fatu made his way to the ring wearing his own ula fala created by Haku’s daughter. 

After a couple of minutes of feeling each other out, Fatu quickly applied the TONGAN DEATH GRIP before Reigns managed to escape, with Reigns managing to connect with a Superman Punch soon after, but Fatu kicked out at one.

After the Superman Punch, Fatu was in control and hit a Running Hip Attack but Reigns fired back with a second Superman Punch. When both men got back to their feet, the action went to the outside and Jacob Fatu applied the Tonga Death Grip and put Reigns through the announce table with a Powerbomb.

Fatu looked to capitalise in the ring but Reigns fired back with a Spear, with Fatu kicking out. Reigns went for a second Spear but ran straight into a Pop-Up Samoan Drop before the Best Moonsault Ever. The fans in Tampa thought that was it but Reigns kicked out. Both men then exchanged punches, with Fatu coming out on top and following up with more Running Hip Attacks before he applied the Tongan Death Grip for the third time. Reigns’ managed to keep his arm up at two and rammed his fingers into Fatu’s eyes as he pushed Fatu into the referee. 

Reigns followed up with two more Superman Punches before a third one on a pop up and another Spear, but Fatu kicked out again. Jacob Fatu then applied the Tongan Death Grip again but Reigns first grabbed the referee and then ripped off the turnbuckle pad. Reigns proceeded to smash Fatu’s head into the turnbuckle and hit yet another Spear, this time for the 1-2-3. 

After the match, an angry Jacob Fatu applied the Tongan Death Grip to Reigns. Fatu first took out the referee with a Samoan Drop and then fought over a dozen WWE producers as he went back again and again to putting the Tongan Death Grip on Roman Reigns. At one point, producers were trying to hold Fatu back by the hair - a red card offence in the Premier League - but Fatu kept the hold on. The Samoan Werewolf eventually released it, only so he could end Backlash standing tall by holding up the World Heavyweight Title above a fallen Roman Reigns. 

Grade: B+ - The best match of the night was saved for the main event as Roman Reigns and Jacob Fatu produced a very good match to headline Backlash. The contest moved away from the traditional Roman Reigns main event formula and was actually pretty fast-paced, and it was all the better for it. Reigns, once again, sold massively for a family member as Jacob Fatu looked like a monster, with Roman only leaving as World Heavyweight Champion after cheating to win. That Jacob Fatu was standing tall to end the night also sets up another match down the line, which will hopefully be very good again. 

Show Grade: B- - A sub-three hour pay-per-view from WWE and it was a show that was largely enjoyable, while never providing a truly phenomenal match that will stick long in the memory by the time the end of the year rolls around. A fun, inoffensive way to spend an evening.